One Magical Christmas Book Review

Title: One Magical Christmas


Author: Berni Stevens

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Christmas,

Plot: Annie Berry has her hands full prepping for her baby sister's wedding in early October and she has finally found the perfect maid of honor dress. It's incredibly expensive but she feels it will be so worth it. And when she collides with Nic in the parking lot at the wedding wearing that gorgeous dress, the impression she creates will last a lifetime.

Having been knocked over by a vision in midnight blue with blonde hair, Nic thinks the answer to his prayer might just have been answered. Still, since he didn't get her name, he resumes his attempts at online dating till the vision sails back into his life. This time he gets her name and asks her out as well. But while their budding relationship shows considerable promise, he still hasn't told her his secret and he is running out of time.

Likes/Dislikes: Everyone loves a good sweet Christmas romance and this magical book delivers it beautifully. We have adorable kids, a nice leading pair and even a reindeer to fit in with the Christmas theme. Of course, it is very easy to guess what Nic's big secret is even before we open the book but it is still a fun read. The only things I had an issue with were Annie constantly watching her weight and going on about it, food and her perfect sister. I really couldn't relate to that but I haven't ever had any weight or food issues beyond a dairy allergy. And since the story takes place in Britain, I thought it odd that Nic preferred cold beer. Al in all, a good short story and surprisingly very clean.

Rating: PG-15 and up, mainly for reading level and a few stray kisses.

Date Review Written: October 21st, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Choc Lit. Publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Who Cares If They Die Book Review

Title: Who Cares If They Die?


Author: Wendy Dranfield

Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary,

Plot: Dean Matheson is on his way to becoming a detective his small town. With that goal in mind, he works the streets as a beat cop and keeps his eye open for odd cases that can help launch his career. So when he gets the call about an apparent suicide, he tunes into his instincts and starts to ask the questions no one else seems to be asking.

Meanwhile, Beth is the new prison psychiatrist and is trying to find her place in her new town as well as get a foot in the door career-wise. She catches Dean's eye early on and could prove to be a useful element to his investigation or a lovely distraction. But when the killer ramps up his game, Beth might just be his next target.

Likes/Dislikes: While the premise of this story sounded intriguing and just a shade darker and grittier than what I usually read, the writing style proved to be a massive letdown. Written in first person present tense, this story jars and jabs across the page with the very strong feel of a debut novel with a hasty editing job. In addition to this, Dean is married but has been cheating on his wife and he is torn between wanting to continue the affair and saving his marriage. Once Beth walks in, he completely looses focus and goes sideways after her. I couldn't finish this book as the writing style was so terrible. It did have a lot of promise though, just some bad execution.

Rating: PG-16 and up, mainly for content and reading level (affairs, murders, etc.)

Date Review Written: October 11th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Fromage a` Trois Book Review

Title: Fromage a` Trois

Author: Victoria Brownlee

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, France

Plot: Ella is on the brink of turning thirty and has spent the last decade in a relationship with a man she thought she would marry and settle down with for the rest of her life. But apparently he has other plans and breaks up with her before going off on a exclusive retreat. Ella, left in tears and uncertain as to what she should do next, decides to spend a year in France and get back in touch with her old globe-trotter days.

On her first day back, she finds a cute little cheese shop which quickly becomes her favorite and the central point for all her Parisian adventures. But soon she finds herself in a sticky spot between two dashing men and has some adult decisions to make.

Likes/Dislikes: I love reading books about Paris and food so I thought this one would be great. Plus I loved the cover. I knew it was about cheese primarily but I secretly hoped the cheese wouldn't play as big a role in the story as it actually does. Silly, I know but still. I don't like cheese very much and found it was a turn-off for me in this form. But I will say that the book opens very well and gives us lots of details for being first person narrative. And Ella doesn't sound like one of those annoying weepy characters either.

Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for reading level and content (majority of content unknown but it is an adult romance so...)

Date Review Written: September 25th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

On This Christmas Book Review

Title: On This Christmas

Author: Zondervan

Genre: Nonfiction, Journal, Christmas, Personal, Religious

Plot: Every year at Christmas time we get swept away in gifts, shopping, baking delicious cookies we only have once a year, decorating the house and numerous other little things that all add up to one big celebration on the 25th. Then we spend the remaining week in a daze, feeling glad that it is over and relishing in the new memories we created. And every year we always insist that we will remember this Christmas because it was the best Christmas ever.

But slowly, over time, those fond Christmas memories fade or blur together into one big happy Christmas memory. In order to keep the memories clear and concise, we have this adorable journal designed perfectly to record five years of fond Christmas memories. We can track how the little things like gifts and favorite songs change over the years. And this journal makes a perfect gift too.

Likes/Dislikes: I love journals and collect them whenever I can. This one is an absolute must for any journal enthusiast or writer. It smells divine and has a nice layout to really get down deep and record details about each Christmas, rather than a few sentences on a cramped space. There are lovely quotes and gorgeous Christmas photography sprinkle dresses throughout the book as well and the cover with its background of black is simply beautiful. All around, love this journal and highly recommend it to everyone this Christmas!

Rating: G-all ages, geared more for teens and adults.

Date Review Written: October 19th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers for my honest opinion and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Love Dare For Parents Book Review

Title: The Love Dare For Parents

Author: Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Spiritual

Plot: Ever since the Christian film Fireproof came out, everyone has been interested in doing the love dare for themselves. But once our marriage is all set and fireproof, what else in our lives can we fireproof as well? Most of us immediately think of our children and this book is for exactly that purpose.

Using Scripture as the guide, this little book helps to turn the parents toward the children and enrich the relationship as the children grow and learn to survive in the world on their own. Designed to fit into a busy parenting schedule, this is dare everyone should try at least once - especially if we feel we are struggling in connecting with our children in this busy day and age.


Likes/Dislikes: While I loved the idea behind this book, the actual writing style was a turn off for me and I wasn't inclined to finish reading the book. On top of that, I have toddlers and this book seemed more geared toward older children. Maybe I'll pick it back up in a few more years.

Rating: G-all ages, geared mainly toward parents

Date Review Written: August 27th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Girlfriend Interrupted Book Review

Title: Girlfriend, Interrupted

Author: Patricia Caliskan

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Blended Families, Drama

Plot: Twenty-six year old Ella is quite happy being Dan's girlfriend and seeing his kids on the weekends when they visit and all go out on adventures. But since moving in together, the dynamic has changed and Ella doesn't know what to do about it. Throughout the week they are a happy overworked couple. But on the weekend, Dan retreats and spoils his kids to the point where they use Ella as a verbal boxing bag. All of which leaves Ella drained and feeling distanced from her dreamy boyfriend. The only one who really loves her is the dog.

Throw in some in-laws, her sex therapist mother and Dan's icy ex-wife and we have a recipe for a big family meltdown. Will Ella come out stronger or crumble under all the pressure and responsibility she never asked for?

Likes/Dislikes: I liked the cover and was really hoping for a nice sweet romance. And I did try hard to actually read this book. It got a lot of good reviews. But sadly, it wasn't my cup of tea. We are thrown into the romantic relationship several months after Ella and Dan have moved in together. We meet Ella and a ton of described jumbled co-workers in the first chapter before she goes off to lunch with her mother who is the best described character so far in the story. Then we meet Dan who is barely there at all and his children, one of which is a horrible little pre-teen girl. Pre-teen girls don't act like that in my experience. And it's all written in first person with a jumble of past and present tense which was hard to read.

Rating: PG-14 and up; conversations about sex, etc.

Date Review Written: August 27th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my opinion and I wasn't required to write a positive review. the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.